Learning Commons | Cardinal Cushing Library

Company/Industry: Company Information

Description of Annual Reports
Public companies will typically have their annual reports readily available since they are required to file financial reports to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) [http://www.sec.gov]. Private companies, however, do not have this requirement. Therefore, they often do not have annual reports publicly accessible.

Internet Resources:

• Company's Web Site
  Search Tip: 1. Look on the company homepage for a link to investor or financial information;
  Search Tip: 2. Use the search feature, if available, on the company's website; or
  Search Tip: 3. Search Google.com:
  "annual report" and site:url for the company homepage

Databases
Search Tip: Include, as a subject or keyword term, "market share" or ranking along with the industry descriptors; "company name" or ticker; or other features to be compared.

For further information on competitors and business rankings/market shares:
Industry Information Guide.

Company Profiles may include the following information:
1. Whether a company is PUBLIC [Investopedia.com definition] or PRIVATE [Investopedia.com definition];
2. U.S. or internationally based;
3. SUBSIDIARY [Investopedia.com definition] or the PARENT company [Investopedia.com definition];
4. Description of the Company;
5. Trading information for public companies [including Ticker Symbol and the Exchange that the company stock is traded];
6. Industry of the Company [See also Industry Information.];
7. Executive Officers [See also Executive Officers]; and
8. Financial Information [See also Financial Data for Public Companies; Financial Data for Private Companies; and Stocks and Funds.]
9. Company History

Database Resources:

Database Resources:

For further information on competitors and business rankings/market shares:

• Industry Information to identify other companies that share the same industry.

Database Resources:

• Try a search for your company and "corporate social responsibility" or csr or sustainability 

For further information on Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability:

Try a Google search for your company and "impact report" or "sustainability report"

Database Resources:

Internet Resources:

• Company's Web Site
  Search Tip: 1. Look on the company homepage for a link to investor or financial information;
  Search Tip: 2. Use the search feature, if available, on the company's website; or
  Search Tip: 3. Search Google.com for [annual report and site:company homepage].
   
• Executive Officer's Web Site
  Curricula Vitae (CV) or other biographical information may be available online.

Description of Financial Data for Private Companies
Private companies have no obligation to reveal their financial data to the public. It may therefore be difficult (or impossible) to obtain detailed financial data. (See also Profile of the company or contact the company directly.)

Database Resources:

Internet Resources:

• Company's Web Site
  Search Tip: 1. Look on the company homepage for a link to investor or financial information;
  Search Tip: 2. Use the search feature, if available, on the company's website.

Description of Financial Data/SEC Filings for Public Companies
Public companies are required to file financial reports to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC filings are available through the following databases and internet sites listed below. (See also Annual Reports and Company Profile.)

Database Resources:

Internet Resources:

Description of a Ticker Symbol
Each company is identified on each stock exchange by a unique alphabetic ticker symbol. Using the ticker symbol when doing research will ensure that information on the correct company is found.

The symbol is listed in the company profile. In addition, stock information resources will list the ticker along with stock quotes.

Database Resources:

Internet Resources:

Print Resources:

Current issues of the following newspapers are available at the Library Circulation Desk

• The Boston Globe 
• The New York Times
• The Wall Street Journal

Database Resources:

Access the complete list of newspaper databases through the Research Guide: Newspapers

Internet Resources: